Organization of Management Bodies of Protected Areas and Design in the First Phase of Operation (SES 103):

The main objective of this study was to investigate and set the initial design concept of Monitoring System for the 27 protected areas in Greece which hold Management Bodies (M.B.), by taking into account the 1992 EU Habitats Directive (EU Directive 92/43) and the 1979 Birds Directive (EU Directive 79/409), as it was replaced by the Council Directive 2009/147/EC. In the framework of the current study we collected data concerning the first operation years of each M.B., the activities and programs that have been implemented, whereas specific objectives have been set regarding the management, conservation and monitoring of flora and fauna species, as well as habitat types in each area.

Assignment Authority: Ministry of Environment (Environment, Energy and Climate Change)

SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY FOR THE PROTECTION OF DYSTOS WETLAND, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF DISTOS, IN THE ISLAND OF EVIA  (SES 102):

The wetland of Lake Dystos located in South Evia at a distance of 7 km southeast of Aliveri and is the only natural lake in the former prefecture of Evia. The area is one of the twenty one (21) most important wetlands of the country - apart from the 10 wetlands of International Importance under the  Ramsar-Convention –and  includes the second largest wetland in the Aegean and the largest reed bed in the islands. The area is included in the NATURA 2000 Network as a Special Protection Area (SPA),  produced by the implementation of EU Directives 79/409/EEC and 2009/147/EC. Moreover,it is one of the 196 Important Bird Areas of Greece (IBA) under the code GR112 and  name "Lake Dystos". 5440 acres of the area is a Wildlife Refuge. Within the SPA , an Urban Control Zone (UCZ) has been designated  (GG 60D '/ 02.08.1990),  which characterizes part of the area as  Absolute Area of Conservation and part of it as Nature Reserve.

Taking the above into account, a special environmental study has been implemented, which included on-site monitoring and recording of habitat types and species.  Following this study, the area was nominated as a Reional Park, including 5 zones and one buffer zone. Within the Regional  Park, certain limitations and safeguards were proposed,   aimed at preserving, restoring, proper management and sustainable use of the proposed protected area. After a careful consideration of the alternative management schemes,  and by examining the needs and particularities of the area , the assignment of proper administration and management for the protected area was assigned to the municipality of Dystos.

Prepared fοr: Evia  Regional  Unit

Environmental management actions in suburban forest Seih-Sou (SES 100):

That study is part of the project "Protection and Upgrade of the Suburban Forest of Thessaloniki (Sheih-Sou)’’. The area study belongs to the Municipalities of Thessaloniki, Pilea-Panorama, Triandria, Sykeon, St. Paul, Chortiati and Pefkon Community (Retziki) of Thessaloniki. The purpose of SES is to protect, maintain and strengthen the multifunctional role of suburban forest of Thessaloniki in the framework of sustainable management, as it has been developed at EU level, by creating a documented proposal for a) its classification by categories of protection under Articles 18 and 19 of N . 1650/86, b) its’ management and c) development of a program of measures, projects, activities and actions for achieving the objective.

Assignment Authority: REGULATORY PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OF THESSALONIKI

The main goal of the study is the protection- reservation:

•of the very important habitat and other flora units

•of the rare, endangered, endemic and protected fauna and their habitats

•of the rare, endangered, endemic and protected flora species and their habitats.

•of the architectural, historical and cultural characteristics of the region and dynamic relevance to the protection of the environment and the needs for economic development and improved life quality for the residents and

•of the enhancement and restoration of very valuable aesthetically landscapes

Assignment Authority: Messinia Development S.A.